Computer-implemented method for compensating ancillary use of a remotely accessible network device

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method for compensating ancillary use of a wireless service device for excess transmission bandwidth is provided. Wireless service devices are discovered. Each wireless service device is interoperable on a wireless service network operated by a service provider. For each wireless service device, a primary function performable by a subscriber through the wireless service network and an ancillary function performable by a third party through the wireless service network based on availability of capacity for excess transmission bandwidth are determined. The wireless service devices include an available capacity to perform the ancillary function over the service network is identified. The ancillary function is performed over the excess transmission bandwidth using the identified wireless service devices through combination, modification and integration of data from the two or more other such identified wireless service devices. Participants of the ancillary function in exchange for the performance of the ancillary function are compensated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/749,457, filed Mar. 29, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,057;which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/058,340 filedFeb. 14, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,689,681, issued Mar. 30, 2010, thepriority filing dates of which are claimed and the disclosures of whichare incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates in general to remotely accessible network devicecontrol and, in particular, to a system and method for compensatingancillary use of a remotely accessible network device.

BACKGROUND

Remotely accessible network devices, particularly wireless devices,provide user friendly and highly affordable convenience to consumers andbusinesses. Popular wireless devices include wireless-enabled computers,Internet access and personal data assistants, Global Positioning System(GPS) receivers, automobile, personal and boat navigation systems,pagers and text messaging devices, radio frequency identification (RFID)tags, devices that permit users to access e-mail, and cellulartelephones. Conventionally, each of these devices provides remote accessinto and interaction with networked and interconnected resources,whether for voice, data or other forms of digital and electronicinformation exchange.

Frequently, private data network access is provided as part of acomputing infrastructure within a home or business between employees,customers and other permitted users, such as provided by IEEE802.11-compliant Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) and IEEE 802.16-compliant“WiMAX” networks. However, within the public domain, data and non-datanetwork access is generally provided under a service contract offered bya network service provider. For example, under a typical cellulartelephone service arrangement, a subscriber pays a cellular serviceprovider for air time, which is typically offered either at a flat ratewith a fixed number of service hours per month or at a per use ratebased on actual service utilization. At a minimum, the subscriberreceives voice service within a local calling area and can optionallyadd long distance, international, or digital data calling or a varietyof other features.

Such networked communication and computing devices often experiencesignificant periods of non-use or idle time. These devices include thenetworked communication and computing devices, and other types ofsensors and input devices, computing devices, data processing devices,and output devices that are either located remotely or arranged indistributed fashion. Historically, each new generation of network devicehas offered increasingly powerful, flexible and expandable capabilities.For example, third generation, so-called “3G,” cellular telephones offervariable bandwidth capacity and a programming interface. Despite theseadvances, existing service network access arrangements neverthelesscontemplate service provision being offered to subscribers primarilyduring periods of service consumption. During periods of inactivity, thecapabilities of the device often remain available, but are wastedthrough non-use.

Conventional approaches to performing ancillary functions on devices,such as harnessing excess transmission or processing capacity orpropagating a signal, are costly, despite the potential benefits thatcould be gained by harnessing the excess capacity of existing servicenetworks. Replicating a network with equivalent capabilities as, forinstance, the cellular telephone subscriber base in a typicalmetropolitan region, would require a significant investment in capital,including hardware, physical plant and personnel, plus the on-goingcosts of maintenance, power and regulatory compliance. The cost-benefitratio would be particularly unfavorable for networking arrangementsrequiring “point” readings on an infrequent basis, such as temperatureand barometric readings as used in weather reports or otherenvironmental sensing systems.

To exacerbate the problem, private subscribers currently lack anincentive, particularly a financial incentive, to provide remoteservices, through the excess capacity of their communication andcomputing devices, to service providers and third parties. Networkservice arrangements compensate the service providers for the use of oraccess to, or for a guarantee of availability of, the service network.Additional functionality could be added to privately owned or leaseddevices, but the cost-benefit ratio would be similarly unfavorable,especially with low-cost devices, such as cellular telephones. Moreover,third parties lack a vehicle to tap into service network subscriberbases as potentially ancillary service providers, such as providing“point” readings through servers installed on user private communicationor computing devices.

Therefore, there is a need for an approach to providing a compensationframework to provide an incentive to private end users and networkaccess subscribers to offer the excess functionality of privately-ownedor leased devices to the network service providers and third parties.Preferably, such an approach would advantageously harness device idletime, as well as tap functionality provided through add-on componentsand in content generated by such devices. Such an approach would furtheraccommodate third party indirect beneficiary arrangements transactedthrough the network service providers.

SUMMARY

One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method for compensatingancillary use of a wireless service device for excess transmissionbandwidth. A multiplicity of wireless service devices is discovered.Each wireless service device is interoperable on a wireless servicenetwork operated by a service provider. For each wireless servicedevice, a primary function performable by a subscriber through thewireless service network and an ancillary function performable by athird party through the wireless service network based on availabilityof capacity for excess transmission bandwidth are determined. Each ofthe wireless service devices including an available capacity to performthe ancillary function over the service network is identified. Theancillary function is performed over the excess transmission bandwidthusing at least one of the identified wireless service devices throughthe combination, modification and integration of data from the two ormore other such identified wireless service devices. Participants of theancillary function in exchange for the performance of the ancillaryfunction are compensated. Benefits inuring to the subscriber areidentified and awarded in addition to economic benefit of enhancednetwork service access. Benefits inuring to the service provider areidentified and awarded in addition to economic benefit of increasedservice volume and bandwidth usage and increased subscriber feesgenerated by subscriber use of related services. Benefits inuring to thethird party are identified and awarded in addition to economic benefitof costs avoided to build out a network of sensors, repeaters or otherfunctionality through the use of existing, in-place devices, which arecontrolled by the subscribers.

A further embodiment provides compensating ancillary use of a wirelessservice device for excess processing capacity. A multiplicity ofwireless service devices is discovered. Each wireless service device isinteroperable on a wireless service network operated by a serviceprovider. For each wireless service device, a primary functionperformable by a subscriber through the wireless service network and anancillary function performable by a third party through the wirelessservice network based on availability of capacity for excess processingcapacity are determined. Each of the wireless service devices includingan available capacity to perform the ancillary function over the servicenetwork is identified. The ancillary function is performed through theexcess processing capacity using at least one of the identified wirelessservice devices through the combination, modification and integration ofdata from the two or more other such identified wireless servicedevices. Participants of the ancillary function in exchange for theperformance of the ancillary function are compensated. Benefits inuringto the subscriber are identified and awarded in addition to economicbenefit of enhanced network service access. Benefits inuring to theservice provider are identified and awarded in addition to economicbenefit of increased service volume and bandwidth usage and increasedsubscriber fees generated by subscriber use of related services.Benefits inuring to the third party are identified and awarded inaddition to economic benefit of costs avoided to build out a network ofsensors, repeaters or other functionality through the use of existing,in-place devices, which are controlled by the subscribers.

A still further embodiment provides computer-implemented method forcompensating ancillary use of a wireless service device with add-onfunctional capacity. A multiplicity of wireless service devices isdiscovered. Each wireless service device is interoperable on a wirelessservice network operated by a service provider. For each wirelessservice device, a primary function performable by a subscriber throughthe wireless service network and an ancillary function performable by athird party through the wireless service network based on availabilityof capacity for add-on functional capacity are determined. Each of thewireless service devices including an available capacity to perform theancillary function over the service network is identified. At least oneof the identified wireless service devices is augmented with the add-onfunctional capacity provided by a source of add-on functional capacitycomprising one of an equipment manufacturer and a software developer.The ancillary function is performed through the add-on functionalcapacity using at least one of the identified wireless service devicesthrough the combination, modification and integration of data from thetwo or more other such identified wireless service devices. Participantsof the ancillary function in exchange for the performance of theancillary function are compensated. Benefits inuring to the subscriberare identified and awarded in addition to economic benefit of enhancednetwork service access. Benefits inuring to the service provider areidentified and awarded in addition to economic benefit of increasedservice volume and bandwidth usage and increased subscriber feesgenerated by subscriber use of related services. Benefits inuring to thethird party are identified and awarded in addition to economic benefitof costs avoided to build out a network of sensors, repeaters or otherfunctionality through the use of existing, in-place devices, which arecontrolled by the subscribers. Benefits inuring to the add-on functionalcapacity source are identified and awarded in addition to economicbenefit from an expanded market for their products and services.

Yet a still further embodiment provides a computer-implemented methodfor compensating ancillary use of a wireless service device for signalpropagation. A multiplicity of wireless service devices is discovered.Each wireless service device is interoperable on a wireless servicenetwork operated by a service provider. For each wireless servicedevice, a primary function performable by a subscriber through thewireless service network and an ancillary function performable by athird party through the wireless service network based on availabilityof capacity for signal propagation are determined. Each of the wirelessservice devices including an available capacity to perform the ancillaryfunction over the service network is identified. The ancillary functionis performed by propagating a signal using at least one of theidentified wireless service devices through the combination,modification and integration of data from the two or more other suchidentified wireless service devices. Participants of the ancillaryfunction in exchange for the performance of the ancillary function arecompensated. Benefits inuring to the subscriber are identified andawarded in addition to economic benefit of enhanced network serviceaccess. Benefits inuring to the service provider are identified andawarded in addition to economic benefit of increased service volume andbandwidth usage and increased subscriber fees generated by subscriberuse of related services. Benefits inuring to the third party areidentified and awarded in addition to economic benefit of costs avoidedto build out a network of sensors, repeaters or other functionalitythrough the use of existing, in-place devices, which are controlled bythe subscribers.

Still other embodiments of the invention will become readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description,wherein are described embodiments of the invention by way ofillustrating the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention.As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and differentembodiments and its several details are capable of modifications invarious obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detaileddescription are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not asrestrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for compensating ancillaryuse of a remotely accessible network device, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing service provision throughexcess transmission capacity for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing service provision throughexcess processing capacity for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing service provision throughadd-on capacity for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing service provision throughsignal propagation capacity for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a state diagram showing compensation flow between participantsin a compensated service network arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

System Overview

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system 10 for compensating ancillaryuse of a remotely accessible network device, in accordance with oneembodiment. In one embodiment, network devices, including a cellulartelephone 12, wireless-enabled personal data assistant (PDA) 13, wiredpersonal computer 14, and automobile 15 equipped with a wireless-enabledembedded control system 16, interface directly to a service network 11.In a further embodiment, external devices, such as an active radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag 17, interface indirectly to theservice network 11 through a network device 12-15. Other types ofnetwork and external devices, such as Global Positioning System (GPS)receivers, automobile, personal and boat navigation systems, pagers, andtext messaging devices, could also be included, as would be appreciatedby one skilled in the art.

The service network 11 can provide voice, data and other forms ofinformation exchange. For clarity, only a single service networklogically providing each type of service is shown, although multiplephysical service networks could be required to support disparate networkservices for various types of communication and computing devices. Forexample, voice information exchange can be provided through conventionalPlain Old Telephone System (POTS) or cellular service networksincluding, by way of example, Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS),Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code-Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) networks. Data information exchange can be providedthrough enterprise, wide area or local area networks including, by wayof example, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), and IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)networks. The service network 11 can include various topologies,configurations, and arrangements of network interconnectivity componentsarranged to interoperatively couple and can further include, withoutlimitation, conventionally wired, wireless, satellite, optical, andequivalent network technologies, as would be appreciated by one skilledin the art.

In one embodiment, the devices 12-15 are network capable and perform aprimary service function for a user, operator or subscriber (hereafter“subscriber”) through an arrangement with a service provider. Theprimary service function depends upon the type and nature of the networkdevice 12-15 and can exist independently from the service network 11.For example, a cellular telephone 12 can primarily provide voicecommunication services and can optionally include data and textmessaging exchange, as well as stand-alone computing, such as addressbook or game playing functionality. On the other hand, wireless-enabledPDA 13 and wired personal computer 14 can primarily provide generalpurpose computing. Such devices can support a network interface forexternal information exchange and can optionally includevoice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) for voice communications and otherservices. Moreover, the primary service function need not be coupled toa consumer or user interface. For instance, wireless-enabled embeddedcontrol system 16 can provide geolocation coordinates to a 9-1-1telephone response service through an integrated GPS receiver that istriggered in an emergency and without requiring any user interaction. Ina further embodiment, the network devices 12-15 include a capability tointerface to an external device 17, such as via infrared, Bluetooth, orradio frequency communications. Other external device interfaces arepossible, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

In addition to the primary service function, each of the devices 12-15is capable of performing one or more ancillary service functions. Anancillary service function is a capability or feature provided by thenetwork device 12-15 in addition or complimentary to the primary servicefunction. In one embodiment, ancillary service functions non-exclusivelyinclude:

-   -   (1) Excess Transmission: providing receipt of data to or sending        of data from the device using excess transmission bandwidth,        typically during periods of non-use or inactivity, but possibly        simultaneously during periods of use, as further described below        with reference to FIG. 2.    -   (2) Excess Processing: providing data processing on the device        using excess processing capacity, typically during periods of        non-use or inactivity, but possibly simultaneously during        periods of use, as further described below with reference to        FIG. 3.    -   (3) Add-On: providing additional capabilities through add-on        functionality or modifications to the device, as further        described below with reference to FIG. 4.    -   (4) Signal Propagation: providing relay of a data signal from        the device to another network or external device or from another        network or external device to the device using excess        transmission bandwidth, typically during periods of non-use or        inactivity, but possibly simultaneously during periods of use,        as further described below with reference to FIG. 5.        Other ancillary service functions are possible, as would be        appreciated by one skilled in the art.

Ancillary service functions are typically performed for a requestingparty other than the subscriber, but could also be performed at theinitiative of the subscriber. Generally, the requesting party seeks toexecute an ancillary service function on one or more devices 12-15 inexchange for compensation, as further described below with reference toFIG. 6. The compensation can include payments, credits, services orcomponents, such as equipment or software, that are provided directly tothe subscriber or indirectly through an intermediary, either in kind orby equivalent. For example, a third party may provide payments to aservice provider that in turn issues credits to a subscriber in exchangefor use of the ancillary function by the third party.

Requesting parties include, by way of example, the subscriber, serviceproviders, equipment manufacturers, software developers, other deviceusers, data collectors, and third parties. Service providers includenetwork service providers that offer the actual underlying networkservice, such as cellular telephone or wireless network service, as wellas service-over-network or product-over-network providers, such ason-line music download stores and on-line retailers. Other requestingparties are possible, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.Only the requesting party and the subscriber must agree to andparticipate in the ancillary service provisioning. Intermediaries, suchas the service provider, need not be aware of the ancillary serviceprovisioning. For example, a third party may request ancillary servicesfrom a subscriber, which is provided directly to the third party withoutany involvement with the service provider.

Service Provision Through Excess Transmission Capacity

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing service provision 20through excess transmission capacity 23 for use in the system 10 ofFIG. 1. A device 21 offers excess transmission capacity 23 to arequesting party 22. Excess transmission capacity 23 includes thecapability to receive data into or send data from the device usingexcess, unused transmission bandwidth. For example, excess transmissioncapacity 23 could be used to send advertising, unsolicited commercial,private or governmental information, public safety and publicinformation data and announcements, to subscribers or to retrieve, withproper authorization, data generated by the device, such as batterydepletion and recycling patterns, periods of standby and shutdown,non-private user information, private user information (withpermission), or data generated by the processing or sensory functions ofthe device. Other uses of excess transmission capacity 23 are possible,as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

To minimize interference with the performance of the primary servicefunction of the device, excess transmission capacity 23 is typicallyonly made available during periods of non-use or inactivity, that is,idle time, although excess transmission capacity 23 could also beprovided concurrently to the primary service function where the useraccepted any interference or where technologies permitted theavailability of excess transmission capacity simultaneously with theprimary service function without interference. Only the requesting party22 and user of the device 21 need be aware of the service provision 20through excess transmission capacity 23.

Service Provision Through Excess Processing Capacity

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing service provision 30through excess processing capacity 33 for use in the system 10 ofFIG. 1. A device 31 offers excess processing capacity 33 to a requestingparty 32. Excess processing capacity 33 includes providing dataprocessing using the computational and memory storage resources of thedevice 31. For example, excess processing capacity 33 could be used toexecute a program or request on behalf of the requesting party 32 orother third party and, when coupled with excess transmission capacity23, send a result to the requesting party 32 upon completion of theprogram or request. Such excess processing capacity could be usedindependent of other devices or in conjunction with one or more devicesto perform the desired processing function. Examples of the use of suchexcess processing capacity include processing data to facilitate furthertransmission by one or more devices, processing made available tofacilitate distributed computing, and processing to combine or modifydata to integrate data from a number of other devices. Other uses ofexcess processing capacity 33 are possible, as would be appreciated byone skilled in the art.

To minimize interference with the performance of the primary servicefunction of the device, excess processing capacity 33 is typically onlymade available during periods of non-use or inactivity, that is, idletime, although excess processing capacity 33 could also be providedconcurrently to the primary service function. Only the requesting party22 and user of the device 31 need be aware of the service provision 30through excess processing capacity 33.

Service Provision Through Add-on Capacity

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing service provision 40through add-on capacity 43 for use in the system 10 of FIG. 1. A device41 offers an add-on capacity 43 to a requesting party 42. The add-oncapacity 43 includes providing some form of additional functionality orcapacity extrinsic to the device 41 or primary functioning or primaryfunctioning capacity. For example, an add-on component 43, in the formof hardware, software, firmware or data could be installed onto thedevice 41 to provide new or improved device features, such as a set ofweather sensors to detect ambient temperature and barometric pressure,other environmental sensors, sensors to detect noxious or dangerouschemicals or biological agents, sensors to detect electromagnetic ornuclear radiation, sensors to detect physical or biologicalcharacteristics of the device user or other individuals, animals orplants, sensors to detect sound, sensors to detect proximity to RFIDtags or other devices and other sensing capability. The add-componentcould also provide other additional capabilities to the device, such asadditional processing or transmission capability, or additional datafeatures to enhance the usefulness of the excess capacity for partiesother than the user. Optionally, the add-on component 43 could, but neednot, include a consumer interface 44 through which to access or controlthe add-on component 43. Other types and uses of add-on capacity 43 arepossible, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

The add-on capacity 43 functions as an adjunct to the primary servicefunction of the device and can be made available both during periods ofnon-use or inactivity, that is, idle time, or concurrently to theprimary service function. The add-on capacity may, but does not need to,enhance the primary service function of the device to the benefit of theuser. Only the requesting party 22 and user of the device 41 need beaware of the service provision 40 through add-on capacity 43.

Service Provision Through Signal Propagation Capacity

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing service provision 50through signal propagation capacity 53 for use in the system 10 ofFIG. 1. In one embodiment, a device 51 relays signals being sent toanother device 54 or received from another device 54 for a requestingparty 52. Signal propagation capacity 53 includes amplifying andrepeating a signal as an transceiver intermediate to an on-goingcommunications dialogue. For example, signal propagation capacity 53could be used to relay a line-of-sight signal into a “dead” zone, suchas a building, where access to the service network 11 would otherwise beunavailable. In a further embodiment, a device 51 relays signals beingsent to an external device 55 or received from an external device 55 fora requesting party 52. For example, signal propagation capacity 56 couldbe used to relay data to or from active RFID tags. Other types of signalpropagation capacities include the propagation of signals from low powerdevices or remote devices to make such signals capable of reaching theintended device, network or user, signal propagation to reduce thetransmission burden on existing signal transmission infrastructure, andsignal propagation to permit the design and operation of networks thatcan rely wholly or partly on such device-based signal propagation forthe transmission function of such network. Other uses of signalpropagation capacity 53 are possible, as would be appreciated by oneskilled in the art.

To minimize interference with the performance of the primary servicefunction of the device, signal propagation capacity 53 is typically onlymade available during periods of non-use or inactivity, that is, idletime, although signal propagation capacity 53 could also be providedconcurrently to the primary service function. Only the requesting party22 and user of the device 52 need be aware of the service provision 50through signal propagation capacity 53.

Compensation Flow State Diagram

FIG. 6 is a state diagram showing compensation flow 60 betweenparticipants in a compensated service network arrangement. By way ofexample, the participants include a subscriber 61, service provider 62,third party 63, and equipment manufacturer or software developer 64.Service providers 62 include network service providers that offer theactual underlying network service, such as cellular telephone orwireless network service, as well as service-over-network orproduct-over-network providers, such as on-line music download storesand on-line retailers. Other types of service providers are possible, aswould be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

The subscriber 61 receives access to the service network 11 for a devicethrough the service provider 62 under a network service subscription orsimilar contractual arrangement, such as a prepaid calling plan or otheragreement. The third party 63 is a participant that is not party to thenetwork service subscription arrangement between the subscriber 61 andservice provider 62. The equipment manufacturer or software developer 64respectively manufacture equipment or develop software, including add-oncomponents 43, that provide additions or modifications to the device.Other types and numbers of participants, including service providers,are possible, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

In some cases, the service provider 62 is responsible for identifyingthose subscribers 61 that are capable of performing an ancillaryfunction for one or more of the participants. Third parties 63 andequipment manufacturers and software developers 64 may also work withservice providers 62 to identify capable or interested subscribers 61 orto develop add-on components that, when provided to subscribers 61,would make their devices capable of performing ancillary functions. Suchadd-on capabilities may also, however, be offered directly tosubscribers 61 by third parties 63, including service providers otherthan the primary service provider, or equipment manufacturers orsoftware developers 64 without direct coordination with serviceproviders 62. For example, an equipment manufacturer or softwaredeveloper 64 may offer directly to subscribers 61 without directcoordination with service provider 62 additional capability to all usersof a certain type of phone or other device or software, where suchdevices are compatible with service offerings of multiple serviceproviders 62 and the users of those devices are subscribers 61 ofdifferent service providers 62.

In the context where a service provider 62 initiates the identificationof subscribers 61 that are capable of performing an ancillary function,once identified, the service provider 62 selects a suitable scheme tocompensate each subscriber 61, as well as possibly other participants,including the third party 63 and equipment manufacturer or softwaredeveloper 64, based on a several separate or combined bases, includingoverall time of access, number of access events, data or bandwidthvolume accessed, other access or capacity charges, measures, time orlength of transmission, and similar factors, such as relating to costsincurred or benefits received. Alternatively, a third party 63 orequipment manufacturer or software developer 64 might directly identifyand contact subscribers 61 that are capable of performing an ancillaryfunction without the involvement of the service provider 62 and couldselect a suitable compensation scheme to only compensate the subscriber61. In that situation, the service provider 62 would still receive anindirect benefit through increased service usage, such as increasecellular telephone or network usage.

Regardless of which party initiates a program, multiple serviceproviders 62 may establish common, compatible, complimentary orinter-operable programs or offerings to permit subscribers 61 usingvarious devices and subscribers 61 receiving primary service fromvarious service providers 62 to participate in such programs. Aparticular program may be initiated by one or more participants. Forexample, a third party 63 may offer additional service or equipmentbenefits to a subscriber 61 in return for the subscriber's cooperationin providing access to the subscriber's device even without the serviceprovider's knowledge or participation. For example, a subscriber 61could enter into an agreement with a service provider 62 pursuant towhich the subscriber 61 has access to unlimited service in the form oftime of access, amount of data or other measures for a fixed periodicfee and in return for the subscriber's cooperation in providing accessto the subscriber's device.

The compensation flow 60 is based upon the receipt of compensation,which inures as a benefit to a participant. Accordingly, the benefitsare assigned to the participants as follows:

Benefits Inuring to Subscriber

(1) Service provider-provided benefits 65:

-   (a) Direct payments.-   (b) Direct credits, which can be applied against subscriber charges.-   (c) Services provided by service provider or other service providers    or third parties.-   (d) Indirect credits, based on payments made by third party to    service provider on behalf of subscriber 69.-   (e) Indirect credits, based on payments made by equipment    manufacturer or software developer on behalf of subscriber 70.-   (f) Equipment or software purchased by service provider from    equipment manufacturer or software developer and provided for a    reduced charge or at no charge to subscribers.

(2) Third party-provided benefits 66:

-   -   (a) Direct payments based on time, data, instances of access,        and similar factors.    -   (b) Indirect payments made to or through service provider for        the benefit of the subscriber.    -   (c) Indirect payments made by third parties to equipment        manufacturers or software developers to fund the development,        manufacturing or availability of equipment or software that is        made available to subscribers directly or indirectly through        service providers at reduced or no cost to subscribers.    -   (d) Services and add-on services provided by third party or        other service providers or other third parties (but are funded        by third parties).    -   (e) Equipment or software purchased by third party from        equipment manufacturer or software developer and provided for a        reduced charge or at no charge to subscribers.

(3) Equipment manufacturer or software developer-provided benefits 74:

-   (a) Direct payments.-   (b) Services provided by equipment manufacturer or software    developer, or service providers or other third parties funded or    otherwise arranged by equipment manufacturers or software    developers.-   (c) Hardware or software component upgrades and other add-on    functionality or modification in exchange for agreement to carry    hardware or software on a subscriber's device.

In addition, each subscriber 61 receives the economic benefit of “free”network service access, or access at nominal additional cost, inexchange for supporting third party functions.

Benefits Inuring to Third Party

(1) Subscriber-provided benefits 67:

-   (a) Access to devices for certain governmental, commercial, or    private functions, such as compelled for legitimate governmental or    regulatory use, such as placing a sensor grid to detect dangerous    chemicals, biological agents for police and other public safety    purposes, or such as access to sensor, processing, transmission or    other capabilities for commercial or governmental purposes. For    example, governmental or commercial environmental modeling,    biological modeling for epidemiological research and studies,    monitoring of electromagnetic radiation from devices or other    sources for network maintenance and other purposes, such as    collection of data from RFID tags, and so forth.

(2) Service provider-provided benefits 68:

-   (a) Direct payments directed to funding the development of new    hardware or software and corresponding new services that the service    provider might offer, such as weather services, emergency, and other    notification services, commercial messaging, other subscriber    requested or tailored content services, and so forth.-   (b) Direct payments based on volume or other service measure that    reflects the increased service provider revenue volume generated by    any service indirectly attributable to the third party. Thus, the    service provider could minimize economic risk and only make direct    payments to the third party based on actual increased revenue from    as realized from increased service volume.-   (c) Services in recognition of a benefit received by the service    provider, such as increased user volume, additional fees paid to    service provider by equipment manufacturer or software developer,    and similar benefits.

(3) Equipment manufacturer/software developer-provided benefits 75:

-   (a) Direct payments directed to funding development and    implementation of third party programs that create additional demand    for equipment manufacturer or software developer products or    services.

In addition, the third party 63 receives the economic benefit of costsavoided to build out a network of sensors, repeaters or otherfunctionality through the use of existing, in-place devices, which arecontrolled by the subscribers 61. In a sense, this benefit is providedby those subscribers 61 who agree to grant access to their devices.

Benefits Inuring to Service Provider

(1) Third party-provided benefits 69:

-   (a) Direct payments for participation in service program to enable    the third party to access subscriber devices.-   (b) Services provided to service provider for their own use for use    in providing services to subscribers or to be re-transferred to    subscribers in recognition of benefit received by access to the    service network.-   (c) Equipment or software provided to service provider for their own    use for use in providing services to subscribers or to be    re-transferred to subscribers in recognition of benefit received by    access to the service network.

(2) Equipment manufacturer or software developer-provided benefits 70:

-   -   (a) Direct payments for service provider promotion, offering,        sale, or program development and initiation involving equipment        manufacturer or software developer products.    -   (b) Equipment or software provided to service provider for their        own use, for use in providing services to subscribers or to be        re-transferred to subscribers in recognition of benefit received        by use of products and services by third party.

In addition, the service provider 62 receives the economic benefit ofincreased service volume and bandwidth usage, as well as increasedsubscriber fees generated by subscriber use of related services. Aservice provider that works with a third party or equipment manufactureror software provider to provide an exclusive or proprietary service mayalso achieve increased market share through differentiation of itsservice from that offered by other service providers. A service providermay also receive payments or the benefits of access from other serviceproviders where a program involves multiple service providers.

Benefits Inuring to Equipment Manufacturer or Software Developer

(1) Third party-provided benefits 71:

-   (a) Receipts generated by sale or lease of equipment or sale, lease    or licensing of software to third party or to subscribers or service    providers that want to participate in third party program.-   (b) Direct payments or funding for the development of products or    services that are complementary to those products or services    produced or manufactured by others or are needed to establish third    party program, for example individual sensor networks, programs and    other functionality.-   (c) Direct and indirect assistance in product or software    development or in establishing standards and specifications    associated with third party programs that benefits the third party    or the equipment manufacturer or software developer by reducing    development and program costs.-   (d) Direct or indirect benefits associated with the market demand    for equipment manufacturer and software developer products resulting    from their compatibility or use with various subscriber services or    equipment or software

(2) Subscriber-provided benefits 72:

-   (a) Receipts generated by sale or lease of equipment or software.

(3) Service provider-provided benefits 73:

-   (a) Receipts generated by sale or lease of equipment or lease or    licensing of software.

In addition, the equipment manufacturer or software developer 64receives the economic benefit from an expanded market for their productsand services.

Obligations of Participants

The compensation flow 60 is premised upon the receipt of benefits by theparticipants, which assign reciprocal obligations upon the participantsconveying such benefits. The fulfillment of the obligations is dependentupon the nature of the benefit received and other consideration.Payments, for example, may be calculated through a variety of methods,including on a per-call basis, based on volume of calls, based on a baseaccess or capacity charge, based on time of processing or transmissionor upon a combination of these and other similar methods.

The obligations are assigned to the participants as follows:

Obligations Assigned to Subscriber

Each subscriber 61 is a direct beneficiary of the compensation structureand is obligated to provide the required access to the device to receivethe corresponding benefits. The subscriber 61 may choose to pay more fora device that has greater capability in terms of processing,transmission or similar capability to then be able to make such greatercapability available to other participants and derive additionalbenefits as a result. In addition, the subscriber may be required, as acondition of the receipt of benefits to engage in certain activities.For example, a subscriber may be required to leave on their deviceduring a certain period, or may be required to initiate a periodicprocessing or transmission activity. In addition, a subscriber may berequired to permit certain information regarding usage to be recorded,used, analyzed, or transferred as a condition of receipt of benefits.These requirements may include, for example, recording locationinformation, usage patterns information, and other information. Otherobligations, either explicit or implicit, are possible, as would beappreciated by one skilled in the art.

Obligations Assigned to Third Party

The third party 63 is obligated to make payments to service providers orsubscribers to promote a third party program or to cause participants tocarry a signal or permit devices to support third party programs,including add-on functionality, use of processing, transmission orsignal propagation capability, on behalf of the third party. The thirdparty may also be required to fund, in whole or part, the development ofrequired equipment or software, or the acquisition of such equipment orsoftware by device manufacturers or service providers to incentivize theparties to carry the add-on capability needed to support the third partyprogram. Other obligations, either explicit or implicit, are possible,as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

Obligations Assigned to Service Provider

The service provider 62 is obligated to account to the variousparticipants for the portions of fees that are payable through theservice provider 62. For example, if a credit was to be applied to asubscriber bill based on the receipt of funds by the service provider 62from a third party 63, the service provider 62 is obligated to providean accounting for that payment. The service provider may be obligated tofund, in whole or part, the development of equipment or software tosupport the availability of add-on capability to devices used bysubscribers. The service provider may be obligated to fund developmentor implementation of third party programs, for example, where theservice provider has identified an advantage. For example, a serviceprovider may be advantaged through service differentiation withcompetitors, increased market share, and so forth, by supporting thethird party programs. Other obligations, either explicit or implicit,are possible, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

Obligations Assigned to Equipment Manufacturer or Software Developer

The equipment manufacturer or software developer 64 may be obligated tomake payments to subscribers 61 to incentivize the subscribers 61 tocarry the hardware or software on their devices. The equipmentmanufacturer or software developer 64 is also obligated to subsidize thedevelopment and production costs of hardware or software that is madeavailable without charge, or at a discount, to the subscribers 61. Theequipment manufacturer or software developer may be obligated to makepayments to third party to support third party program development,where the equipment manufacturer or software developer has determinedthat such third party program will help to create demand for equipmentmanufacturer or software developer products. Other obligations, eitherexplicit or implicit, are possible, as would be appreciated by oneskilled in the art.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described asreferenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art wouldunderstand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for compensatingancillary use of a wireless service device for excess transmissionbandwidth, comprising: discovering a multiplicity of wireless servicedevices, which are each interoperable on a wireless service networkoperated by a service provider; for each wireless service device,determining a primary function performable by a subscriber through thewireless service network and an ancillary function performable by athird party through the wireless service network based on availabilityof capacity for excess transmission bandwidth; identifying each of thewireless service devices comprising an available capacity to perform theancillary function over the service network; performing the ancillaryfunction over the excess transmission bandwidth using at least one ofthe identified wireless service devices through the combination,modification and integration of data from the two or more other suchidentified wireless service devices; and compensating participants ofthe ancillary function in exchange for the performance of the ancillaryfunction, comprising: identifying and awarding benefits inuring to thesubscriber in addition to economic benefit of enhanced network serviceaccess; identifying and awarding benefits inuring to the serviceprovider in addition to economic benefit of increased service volume andbandwidth usage and increased subscriber fees generated by subscriberuse of related services; and identifying and awarding benefits inuringto the third party in addition to economic benefit of costs avoided tobuild out a network of sensors, repeaters or other functionality throughthe use of existing, in-place devices, which are controlled by thesubscribers.
 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the subscriber from the serviceprovider comprising at least one of direct payments, direct credits thatcan be applied against subscriber charge, services provided by theservice provider, indirect credits based on payments made by the thirdparty to the service provider on behalf of the subscriber.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: providing the benefits inuringto the subscriber from the third party comprising at least one of directpayments based on time, data, instances of access, and similar factors,indirect payments made to or through the service provider for thebenefit of the subscriber, and services and add-on services provided bythe third party.
 4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the service provider from the thirdparty comprising at least one of direct payments for participation in aservice program to enable the third party to access subscriber devices,services provided to the service provider for their own use for use inproviding services to the subscriber or to be re-transferred to thesubscriber in recognition of benefit received by access to the servicenetwork, and equipment or software provided to the service provider fortheir own use for use in providing services to the subscriber or to bere-transferred to the subscriber in recognition of benefit received byaccess to the service network.
 5. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: providing the benefits inuring to the third party from thesubscriber comprising access to devices for certain governmental,commercial, or private functions.
 6. A method according to claim 1,further comprising: providing the benefits inuring to the serviceprovider from the service provider comprising at least one of directpayments directed to funding the development of new hardware or softwareand corresponding new services that the service provider might offer,direct payments based on volume or other service measure that reflectsthe increased service provider revenue volume generated by any serviceindirectly attributable to the third party, and services in recognitionof a benefit received by the service provider.
 7. A computer-implementedmethod for compensating ancillary use of a wireless service device forexcess processing capacity, comprising: discovering a multiplicity ofwireless service devices, which are each interoperable on a wirelessservice network operated by a service provider; for each wirelessservice device, determining a primary function performable by asubscriber through the wireless service network and an ancillaryfunction performable by a third party through the wireless servicenetwork based on availability of capacity for excess processingcapacity; identifying each of the wireless service devices comprising anavailable capacity to perform the ancillary function over the servicenetwork; performing the ancillary function through the excess processingcapacity using at least one of the identified wireless service devicesthrough the combination, modification and integration of data from thetwo or more other such identified wireless service devices; andcompensating participants of the ancillary function in exchange for theperformance of the ancillary function, comprising: identifying andawarding benefits inuring to the subscriber in addition to economicbenefit of enhanced network service access; identifying and awardingbenefits inuring to the service provider in addition to economic benefitof increased service volume and bandwidth usage and increased subscriberfees generated by subscriber use of related services; and identifyingand awarding benefits inuring to the third party in addition to economicbenefit of costs avoided to build out a network of sensors, repeaters orother functionality through the use of existing, in-place devices, whichare controlled by the subscribers.
 8. A method according to claim 7,further comprising: providing the benefits inuring to the subscriberfrom the service provider comprising at least one of direct payments,direct credits that can be applied against subscriber charge, servicesprovided by the service provider, indirect credits based on paymentsmade by the third party to the service provider on behalf of thesubscriber.
 9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the subscriber from the third partycomprising at least one of direct payments based on time, data,instances of access, and similar factors, indirect payments made to orthrough the service provider for the benefit of the subscriber, andservices and add-on services provided by the third party.
 10. A methodaccording to claim 7, further comprising: providing the benefits inuringto the service provider from the third party comprising at least one ofdirect payments for participation in a service program to enable thethird party to access subscriber devices, services provided to theservice provider for their own use for use in providing services to thesubscriber or to be re-transferred to the subscriber in recognition ofbenefit received by access to the service network, and equipment orsoftware provided to the service provider for their own use for use inproviding services to the subscriber or to be re-transferred to thesubscriber in recognition of benefit received by access to the servicenetwork.
 11. A method according to claim 7, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the third party from the subscribercomprising access to devices for certain governmental, commercial, orprivate functions.
 12. A method according to claim 7, furthercomprising: providing the benefits inuring to the service provider fromthe service provider comprising at least one of direct payments directedto funding the development of new hardware or software and correspondingnew services that the service provider might offer, direct paymentsbased on volume or other service measure that reflects the increasedservice provider revenue volume generated by any service indirectlyattributable to the third party, and services in recognition of abenefit received by the service provider.
 13. A computer-implementedmethod for compensating ancillary use of a wireless service device withadd-on functional capacity, comprising: discovering a multiplicity ofwireless service devices, which are each interoperable on a wirelessservice network operated by a service provider; for each wirelessservice device, determining a primary function performable by asubscriber through the wireless service network and an ancillaryfunction performable by a third party through the wireless servicenetwork based on availability of capacity for add-on functionalcapacity; identifying each of the wireless service devices comprising anavailable capacity to perform the ancillary function over the servicenetwork; augmenting at least one of the identified wireless servicedevices with the add-on functional capacity provided by a source ofadd-on functional capacity comprising one of an equipment manufacturerand a software developer; performing the ancillary function through theadd-on functional capacity using at least one of the identified wirelessservice devices through the combination, modification and integration ofdata from the two or more other such identified wireless servicedevices; and compensating participants of the ancillary function inexchange for the performance of the ancillary function, comprising:identifying and awarding benefits inuring to the subscriber in additionto economic benefit of enhanced network service access; identifying andawarding benefits inuring to the service provider in addition toeconomic benefit of increased service volume and bandwidth usage andincreased subscriber fees generated by subscriber use of relatedservices; identifying and awarding benefits inuring to the third partyin addition to economic benefit of costs avoided to build out a networkof sensors, repeaters or other functionality through the use ofexisting, in-place devices, which are controlled by the subscribers; andidentifying and awarding benefits inuring to the add-on functionalcapacity source in addition to economic benefit from an expanded marketfor their products and services.
 14. A method according to claim 13,further comprising: providing the benefits inuring to the subscriberfrom the service provider comprising at least one of direct payments,direct credits that can be applied against subscriber charge, servicesprovided by the service provider, indirect credits based on paymentsmade by the third party to the service provider on behalf of thesubscriber.
 15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the subscriber from the third partycomprising at least one of direct payments based on time, data,instances of access, and similar factors, indirect payments made to orthrough the service provider for the benefit of the subscriber, andservices and add-on services provided by the third party.
 16. A methodaccording to claim 13, further comprising: providing the benefitsinuring to the service provider from the third party comprising at leastone of direct payments for participation in a service program to enablethe third party to access subscriber devices, services provided to theservice provider for their own use for use in providing services to thesubscriber or to be re-transferred to the subscriber in recognition ofbenefit received by access to the service network, and equipment orsoftware provided to the service provider for their own use for use inproviding services to the subscriber or to be re-transferred to thesubscriber in recognition of benefit received by access to the servicenetwork.
 17. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the third party from the subscribercomprising access to devices for certain governmental, commercial, orprivate functions.
 18. A method according to claim 13, furthercomprising: providing the benefits inuring to the service provider fromthe service provider comprising at least one of direct payments directedto funding the development of new hardware or software and correspondingnew services that the service provider might offer, direct paymentsbased on volume or other service measure that reflects the increasedservice provider revenue volume generated by any service indirectlyattributable to the third party, and services in recognition of abenefit received by the service provider.
 19. A method according toclaim 13, further comprising: providing the benefits inuring to theadd-on functional capacity source from the third party comprising atleast one of receipts generated by sale or lease of equipment or sale,lease or licensing of software to the third party or to the subscriberor the service provider that want to participate in a third partyprogram, direct payments or funding for the development of products orservices that are complementary to those products or services producedor manufactured by others or are needed to establish the third partyprogram, direct and indirect assistance in product or softwaredevelopment or in establishing standards and specifications associatedwith third party programs that benefits the third party or the add-onfunctional capacity source by reducing development and program costs,and direct or indirect benefits associated with the market demand forequipment manufacturer and software developer products resulting fromtheir compatibility or use with various subscriber services or equipmentor software.
 20. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the add-on functional capacity sourcefrom the third party comprising receipts generated by sale or lease ofequipment or software.
 21. A method according to claim 13, furthercomprising: providing the benefits inuring to the add-on functionalcapacity source from the service provider comprising receipts generatedby sale or lease of equipment or lease or licensing of software.
 22. Acomputer-implemented method for compensating ancillary use of a wirelessservice device for signal propagation, comprising: discovering amultiplicity of wireless service devices, which are each interoperableon a wireless service network operated by a service provider; for eachwireless service device, determining a primary function performable by asubscriber through the wireless service network and an ancillaryfunction performable by a third party through the wireless servicenetwork based on availability of capacity for signal propagation;identifying each of the wireless service devices comprising an availablecapacity to perform the ancillary function over the service network;performing the ancillary function by propagating a signal using at leastone of the identified wireless service devices through the combination,modification and integration of data from the two or more other suchidentified wireless service devices; and compensating participants ofthe ancillary function in exchange for the performance of the ancillaryfunction, comprising: identifying and awarding benefits inuring to thesubscriber in addition to economic benefit of enhanced network serviceaccess; identifying and awarding benefits inuring to the serviceprovider in addition to economic benefit of increased service volume andbandwidth usage and increased subscriber fees generated by subscriberuse of related services; and identifying and awarding benefits inuringto the third party in addition to economic benefit of costs avoided tobuild out a network of sensors, repeaters or other functionality throughthe use of existing, in-place devices, which are controlled by thesubscribers.
 23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising:providing the benefits inuring to the subscriber from the serviceprovider comprising at least one of direct payments, direct credits thatcan be applied against subscriber charge, services provided by theservice provider, indirect credits based on payments made by the thirdparty to the service provider on behalf of the subscriber.
 24. A methodaccording to claim 22, further comprising: providing the benefitsinuring to the subscriber from the third party comprising at least oneof direct payments based on time, data, instances of access, and similarfactors, indirect payments made to or through the service provider forthe benefit of the subscriber, and services and add-on services providedby the third party.
 25. A method according to claim 22, furthercomprising: providing the benefits inuring to the service provider fromthe third party comprising at least one of direct payments forparticipation in a service program to enable the third party to accesssubscriber devices, services provided to the service provider for theirown use for use in providing services to the subscriber or to bere-transferred to the subscriber in recognition of benefit received byaccess to the service network, and equipment or software provided to theservice provider for their own use for use in providing services to thesubscriber or to be re-transferred to the subscriber in recognition ofbenefit received by access to the service network.
 26. A methodaccording to claim 22, further comprising: providing the benefitsinuring to the third party from the subscriber comprising access todevices for certain governmental, commercial, or private functions. 27.A method according to claim 22, further comprising: providing thebenefits inuring to the service provider from the service providercomprising at least one of direct payments directed to funding thedevelopment of new hardware or software and corresponding new servicesthat the service provider might offer, direct payments based on volumeor other service measure that reflects the increased service providerrevenue volume generated by any service indirectly attributable to thethird party, and services in recognition of a benefit received by theservice provider.